THE state’s planning umpire has approved a 41-lot infill development near Marshalltown Rail Station that the City of Greater Geelong council rejected due to overdevelopment concerns.<\/p>\n
Villawood Properties gained approval in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision this month after it appealed a decision from the city’s planning committee to refuse a permit in May.<\/p>\n
The recent process was the second time the developer has gone to the tribunal to get the go-ahead for its 98 Marshalltown Road project.<\/p>\n
It had failed in a previous bid to build 42 properties at the 8,000sqm site due to concerns about loss of vegetation, before returning with a revised plan to keep more trees at the property.<\/p>\n
City officers recommended approving the development earlier this year, which it said would help deliver much-needed supply of affordable housing in an suitable location near Marshalltown Station.<\/p>\n
A majority of councillors sided with a group of community objectors against the plan, who argued the development was out of character for the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
VCAT member Kerrie Birtwistle dismissed that view that the proposal was an “overdevelopment”, and noted the planned two-storey dwellings were below existing planning controls that permit three-storey buildings the area.<\/p>\n
Ms Birtwistle said the Increased Housing Diversity Area, as identified by the city, was an appropriate place for a higher-density housing.<\/p>\n
“The lands designation within an area for increased housing diversity means that it is firstly, a preferred location for medium density housing, and secondly, an area in which different\u2026 housing outcomes are sought.<\/p>\n
“Just because the existing character on nearby lots is single dwellings, doesn’t mean this needs to be replicated on the review site.”<\/p>\n
VCAT has approved the latest plans with a lengthy list of conditions relating to landscaping, tree protection, and construction guidelines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE state’s planning umpire has approved a 41-lot infill development near Marshalltown Rail Station that the City of Greater Geelong council rejected due to overdevelopment concerns. Villawood Properties gained approval in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision this month after it appealed a decision from the city’s planning committee to refuse a permit […]<\/p>\n